Cleveland Browns moving beyond Jon Gruden; Fewell interviewed, Shurmur remains likely front-runner

By Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer  

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns' coaching search appears to be narrowing.
On the ninth day since Eric Mangini was fired, several developments supported the national perception that Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur indeed is the front-runner to replace him.
To wit:
• Jon Gruden announced to his ESPN radio audience in the wee hours of Tuesday morning that he will not be coaching in 2011 and will return to the network booth as a football analyst;
• Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell completed his interview in Cleveland for the head coach job;
• After the Fewell interview wrapped up, ESPN reported the Browns were one of several NFL teams interested in former Chicago, Miami and University of Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt for a role on their staff. Wannstedt, who was Jimmy Johnson's top defensive coach in Dallas and Miami, is considered a contender for several defensive coordinator openings; and
• Browns assistant coaches -- excluding receivers coach George McDonald -- are still under contract and in limbo. A scheduled meeting with President Mike Holmgren was postponed. McDonald left for a similar job with the University of Miami.
Gruden was considered a top candidate because of his long-time association with Holmgren, his devotion to the offensive system learned under Holmgren and his Ohio roots. But Holmgren never formally interviewed him for the job, perhaps partly due to the fact that he knew Gruden's intentions all along.
At the conclusion of ESPN's radio broadcast of the BCS Championship game early Tuesday morning, play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico asked Gruden if he would take a coaching job.
"No," Gruden responded. "I'll be back with you."
Earlier this week, Jim Gruden, Jon's father, told The Plain Dealer that he was not sure whether his son "wants to get back into the rat race." The elder Gruden explained that Jon has a son entering his senior year in high school who plays quarterback and linebacker and Jon immensely enjoys watching him play. He also helps coach the team.
Gruden still has one more season remaining on his contract as coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that pays him handsomely through 2011.
Fewell was the third coaching candidate to receive an interview from the Browns, following Shurmur and Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey. It was conducted at the Browns' facility and concluded in mid-afternoon.
Fewell also was interviewed by Carolina and Denver, but Carolina filled its job with Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. Two New York newspapers speculated that Fewell is likely to stay in his present role with the Giants.
A source said the Browns' interview with Mularkey, conducted Saturday in Atlanta, was kind of rushed, as Mularkey was understandably preoccupied with preparations for the Falcons' NFL playoff game this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Browns' reported interest in Wannstedt comes as a surprise. The only known link to the Browns is that Wannstedt was Dolphins head coach from 2000-04 when Bryan Wiedemeier worked with the club in a variety of roles. Wiedemeier is now a Browns executive vice president and a member of Holmgren's inner circle participating in the coaching search.
It's possible the Browns could be looking to pair Shurmur with an experienced defensive coordinator. Shurmur has no experience as a head coach and has been Rams offensive coordinator the past two years after serving 10 seasons in Philadelphia as an offensive assistant coach.
Meantime, Mangini's top assistant coaches, including defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and special teams coordinator Brad Seely, remain employed by the club. Holmgren postponed a meeting scheduled for Monday to determine their future.
McDonald was released to join the Hurricanes as receivers coach. It's the second time in two years McDonald left the Browns. He accepted an offer last year with Rutgers when Mangini's status was undetermined, then returned when Holmgren announced Mangini would be back in 2010.

Tags: cleveland browns , coaches , headline